99 Reasons Teachers Rock

The education community has been all gloom and doom recently, with Waiting for Superman, protests with bad press, and more standards on top of foolish mandates coming down from every which way.

 

At TeachHUB, we want to remind all you teachers that we know you rock. Here are 99 reasons to prove it!

 

99 Reasons Teachers Rock

1. Teachers rock because they are able to make 60 decisions a minute, all while sipping cold coffee, helping children overcome problems in reading and subtraction with regrouping, and filling out about a million forms in triplicate. We rock! ~ Michelle Howell-Martin

 

2. "When asked what gift they would most like to receive from their students, nearly half of all teachers say a simple "thank you" will suffice, according to a recent National Education Association online poll."

 

3. Teachers can make you feel special, no matter what your age. Check out My Kindergarten Teacher, My Hero for one touching story.

 

4. Teachers rock because we have bladders of steel ~ Cheryl Bremson

 

5. Teachers are the kings and queens of acronyms – from RtI to DI to NCLB to AFT to NEA to SPED to AYP to the ABCs.

 

6.Nearly seven out of 10 teachers (68%) cite working with kids as the reason for remaining in the profession.

 

7. Teachers can eat their lunch in 4 minutes flat at 10:30 a.m. while keeping order in the hallway without thinking twice.

 

8. Our hours extend beyond the classroom ~ Myree Conway

 

9. Despite the common professional myth, teachers do not have to wear jean jumpers, bedazzled sweaters/sweatshirts or holiday themed earrings… but it is strongly encouraged.  (Our Best Dressed Teacher finalists can attest to that)

 

10. Teachers aren’t afraid to be the bad guy.

 

11. "In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years." ~ Jacques Barzun

 

12. When asked what made them smile today, 80% of teachers answered with a students’ achievement or kindness. (in a TeachHUB Question of the Day)

 

13. We rock because we aren't doing it for the money! ~ Lori Graciana, @LGraciana

 

14. Teachers have likely collected more adorable tote bags than any professional group.

 

15. Lead OED definition for teacher: 1. That which shows or points out; an indicator; the index-finger. (Better the index finger than the thumb or, God forbid, the middle, right?)

 

16. Teachers aren’t afraid to get down, like Mr. Duey’s Long Division Rap.

 

17. Teachers smile, even when they have piles of papers to grade, hundreds of emails to check, a red light signaling voicemails to listen to, and hundreds of students who need them. ~ LyzaJo Jorgensen

 

18. 71% of teachers are women. Let’s hear it for the ladies!

 

19. Teachers are masterful at seeming to know every answer to every conceivable question a student could have (and at making “teachable moments” when you don’t know the answer)

 

20. Teachers will do anything to win. Just watch this video of a PD Team Building Game to see teachers’ competitive juices flowing.

 

21. Teachers tweet (by the thousands) to stay on top of the best instruction ideas. Search #educhat, #ntchat, #teachertuesday or follow @teachhub to get started

 

22. Many consider teaching a vocation more than a profession – that’s an idealist’s way of saying the pay stinks.

Teachers rock, because for the most part, we LOVE what we DO and that makes all the difference to our students!! They need to know we enjoy being in that room with them, teaching them! ~ Juliann Frangella

 

23. Teacher fight for their rights, at the Wisconsin protests and beyond.

 

24. The average teacher spends 11.6 hours a week on non-compensated duties.

 

25. Socrates is considered one of the world’s first formal teacher and he was imprisoned and put to death for spurring others to question society.

 

26. Teachers rock because we do our job, not because of the money, but because of the kids. ~ Sean Lovelace @mrlove314

 

27. Teachers inspire film greatness (Part 1) Oscar winner who played a teacher was Anne Bancroft playing Helen Keller’s teacher Anne Sullivan in 1962’s The Miracle Worker

 

28. In ancient Greece teachers were paid higher wages than skilled craftsman. They received gifts from citizens also. The highest paid teachers in Greece were music teachers, according to the Factspage Blog

 

29. Teachers have the job to show tomorrow what is significant. Inspirations, caring heart and the desire to capture them is key. ~ Mango Stephi Meru, @mangomeru

 

30. “If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn't want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher's job.” ~ Donald D.

 

32. Nearly three out of four (73%) enter teaching because of their desire to work with young people.

 

33. Because we touch the future through our kiddos we teach! :O) They pave the way - it's their choice whether to use what we give them! :O) TEACHERS ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ~ Patricia Covarrubias

 

34. Teachers fight hunger. Check out how teachers are getting involved in Schools Fight Hunger.

 

35. Teachers are super fit, what with all that racing to the top and whatnot.

 

36. Like Pavlov’s dogs, teachers have learned to salivate at the sound of a bell (specifically the final school bell of the day).

 

37. 1% of teachers entered the field “accidentally” according to an NEA poll.

 

38. From paper towel rolls to cell phones, teachers can turn almost anything into a teaching tool.

 

39. We have the ability to hold the attention of a room full of children for an entire day! The best performers in the world! ~ Amy Long Holmes

 

40. Teachers will shamelessly demonstrate their school spirit.

 

41. Principals in the UK are called headmasters,  

42. Teachers rock because they are the only professionals who are MULTIPLE professionals all rolled into one ~ Myree Conway

 

43. The number one reason teachers teach is because they want to help young people learn and develop. This has been true in every year NCEI has asked the question (1990, 1996, and 2005), and it is also true for teachers entering through alternate routes to teacher certification. The reasons teachers give for teaching are similar across age groups, gender, race, types of communities they teach in, and grade levels they teach, according to the 2005 Profile of US Teacher by NCEI.

 

44. Teachers are bulletin board artists.

 

45. Teachers know how to have a good time. Happy hour anyone?

 

46. Unlike most other professions, many teacher are required to continually take outside courses and professional development training – often at the own expense.

 

47. Teachers rock because they see the big picture! ~ Debra Torrison, @MrsTsWorld

 

48. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008, there were 7.2 million teachers in the United States.

 

49. Music teachers rock because we can help children explore beauty and passion! ~ Doe L ♫♪♫♪, @DoeMiSo

 

50. Teachers inspire students to be their best. “My best moment as a teacher was the year a great, big, strapping country boy came up to me with a college application in his hand and told me he was applying to the College of Agriculture at Middle Tennessee State University. He said, "You are the only person who ever told me I was intelligent enough to go on to college. I'm gonna try." He applied, was accepted, graduated, and is now pursuing a master's degree. Definitely my best moment!”

 

51. The rare teacher runs for Congress as a Class. Check out Tierney Cahill’s story about running for the Senate.

 

52. Teachers are entertained by their students’ antics, even though they pretend not to be.

 

53. Teachers make up mysterious alias for their facebook or social networking accounts, all in the name of alluding student friend requests.

 

54. Teachers inspire film greatness (Part 2) Oscar nominees who played teachers – Robin Williams in Dead Poet’s Society, Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson, Richard Dreyfuss in Mr. Holland’s Opus

 

55. Teachers make dream field trips happen and open up students’ eyes to new experiences.

 

56. Teachers know how to really enjoy summer break.

 

57. Teacher quality has the greatest influence on student achievement of any school-based factor, according to Daniel Fallon, program director for higher education at the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

 

58. “Teacher” is the 523 most commonly used word in the English language. (FYI: “the” is #1; “please” is 790; “thank you” does not appear on the list).

 

59. Dedication without appreciation! ~ @TheTeachersWife

 

60. “Teaching is the only major occupation of man for which we have not yet developed tools that make an average person capable of competence and performance. In teaching we rely on the ‘naturals,’ the ones who somehow know how to teach.” ~ Peter Drucker Quinn

 

61. [As a teacher,] I live in all of them, I'm loved and remembered, I help them fly to the highest spot they've ever dream about... ~ @norma_friend

 

62. Teachers put up with everyone in the world thinking their job is easy with early days and a big fat summer vacation.

 

63. Teachers are flexible and student centered. Three out of four teachers think schools should adapt to the interests, needs and learning styles of students rather than forcing students to fit into school norms, according to the 2005 Profile of US Teacher by NCEI.

 

64. The fictional teacher ranks include the likes of Albus Dumbledore of Hogwarts, Miss Bliss of Saved by the Belland Miss Frizzle’s magic school bus.

 

65. Teachers rock because (insert geology joke here science teachers).

 

66. Teachers get to keep their childlike excitement about things like pep rallies, school plays and snow days.

 

67.  Teachers learn from their students.

 

68. Teachers make the best of the busted ed tech they’re given.

 

69. Teachers “prepare young people for the world. They teach them valuable skills they need for the future.” According to iPadlord on Yahoo!Answers

 

70. Teachers are a good example for their students.

 

71. Teachers know that what they’re really teaching aren’t facts, but rather they’re teaching children how to learn and teach themselves.

 

72. We rock because we live for "lightbulb moments"... ~ Myree Conway

 

73. Teachers love to share – whether its classroom ideas, lessons, their time or recommendations.

 

74. Teachers are great storytellers.

 

75. 4 in 10 college-educated Americans would teach, according to the 2008 Teaching as a Second Career survey. Wannabes :P

 

76. Teachers have to be on their A-game every minute they’re in the classroom.

 

77. “The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.” ~ Unknown

 

78. Teachers are there, with a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, and a hand to hold. Even when it feels like everyone is against them, students always know their teachers are THERE. ~ LyzaJo Jorgensen

 

79. Teachers have eyes in the back of their heads.

 

80. Teachers are “home-grown.” Six out of 10 (60 percent) of public school teachers in 2005 got their undergraduate college education within 150 miles of where they were born. And 2/3 public school, according to the 2005 Profile of US Teacher by NCEI.

 

81. Teachers help mentor and guide new teachers.

 

82. Teachers LOVE talking about school – on blogs, with their fellow teachers or with anyone who will listen.

 

83. Teachers are not afraid of challenges. ~Roni Dorsey, @vdorsey

 

84. Teachers are also role models, disciplinarians, performers, coaches, and much more for their students.

 

85. Teachers make learning fun with creative projects, new strategies to motivate students, new learning technologies and classroom games.

 

86. "The best teacher is the one who suggests rather than dogmatizes, and inspires his listener with the wish to teach himself." ~ Edward Bulwer-Lytton

 

87. Teachers scoff at the concept of a “lunch hour” where you can leave the building.

 

88. Teachers are constantly finding comfortable school shoes that are actually fashionable. It’s a real challenge.

 

89. "Most teachers have little control over school policy or curriculum or choice of texts or special placement of students, but most have a great deal of autonomy inside the classroom. To a degree shared by only a few other occupations, such as police work, public education rests precariously on the skill and virtue of the people at the bottom of the institutional pyramid." ~ Tracy Kidder

 

90. Teachers can decorate and don a lanyard better than anyone else.

 

91. [Teachers] are more patient than most parents with children that ain’t even ours...lol ~ Lennis Dionne Sample, @Lennisport

 

92. Teachers find a way to keep up with students, parents, fellow teachers, administrators, deans, instructional leaders, grad school, professional development, after-school activities and 100 other things outside their home and family.

 

93. Teachers rock because, despite all the nonsense we have to put up with, we still love what we do and we strive to do it better. ~ John Blake, @geauxteach

 

94. Teachers are gymnasts and super heroes all rolled into one – jumping through hoops, walking on red tape tight ropes and leaping tall standards in a single school year.

 

95. Teachers can bleed “Back to School” sales dry of every penny of savings to stock their classroom.

 

96. Teachers do everything they can to keep the crazy politics surrounding education from affecting their students.

 

97. Teachers show off their sweet moves while chaperoning school dances.

 

98. Teachers rock because they spend their whole careers thinking of how they can make others better off, instead of themselves. ~ Lauren, @Amethyst89

 

99. On behalf of TeachHUB, teachers rock because they make us love working and learning with/from them every day!!

 

By Annie Condron